NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour worth booking?
NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $99 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (18)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Explore the Big Apple with this top-rated Best of New York bundle—featuring three iconic experiences at one unbeatable price. Empire State Building Begin your adventure with express entry to the 86th-floor observation
What you get
About this experience
Explore the Big Apple with this top-rated Best of New York bundle—featuring three iconic experiences at one unbeatable price. Empire State Building Begin your adventure with express entry to the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building. Marvel at sweeping 360° views of Manhattan’s skyline and landmarks—from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. A must-see art deco masterpiece! Circle Line Boat Cruise Cap off your NYC experience with a Circle Line sightseeing cruise—choose between the Liberty Midtown Cruise or the Landmarks Cruise. See the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and One World Trade Center. Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour Next, see New York your way with a flexible 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour on two routes. Ride top-deck for open-air views and enjoy audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop off at must-see spots like Times Square, Wall Street, and the MET—and hop back on whenever you're ready. The free Big Bus app tracks arrival times in real time.
What's included
Included
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise (60-min Liberty Cruise or 90-min Landmarks Cruise)
- Big Bus 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Downtown and Uptown Loops
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Empire State Building 86th Floor Admission
- Live English guide aboard Circle Line. Audio guides available in additional languages
- Digital commentary in multiple languages aboard Big Bus
Not included
- Food and Drinks
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Bus Tours - USA
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Circle Line audio guides available: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese
- Big Bus audio available: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese
- Circle Line and Empire State Building can be separate days. Select date and time at redemption or visit bigbustours.com/manage-my-booking
- Cruises operate daily from Circle Line Cruises at Pier 83, 42nd Street in Hudson River Park The nearest Big Bus Tours Stop is #12: Circle Line Sightseeing
- Cruise duration is 60 minutes for the Liberty Midtown Cruise or 90 Minutes for the Landmarks Cruise
- Cruises feature an onboard café and full bar, restrooms, outdoor deck space, air conditioning and indoor seating with large windows.
- Guests may activate ticket in two ways: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&Ms World), or with a driver at any stop along the route.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
18 verified traveler reviews for NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
New York expierence
I enjoyed the Empire State Building tour and experience the most. The boat tour really showed off the city but the tour guide was not my favorite. Didn't really use the bus service
via Tripadvisor
Great combo for 2 days visit
We had a blast this weekend hosting our friends from Europe and showing them around NYC. The combination of hop on/hop off bus, visit to Empire State Building and the boat tour around Manhattan is amazing for 2 days in the city. We managed to see a lot and our friends learned a lot about the city.
via Tripadvisor
We were sent the the wrong pier for our liberty tour so we missed our ferry. Very disappointed. We should get a refund.
We missed our Statue of Liberty tour because the bus and staff said it was at pier 16, which it wasn’t . Our tour was at a completely different pier. My daughter and I were really disappointed. We should get a refund for that part of the tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're very sorry to hear that you and your daughter missed your Statue of Liberty tour due to receiving incorrect information about the departure pier. We understand how disappointing and frustrating that must have been, especially when it impacted such an important part of your visit. Providing accurate information is something we take very seriously, and we're sorry that this experience did not meet expectations. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, as feedback like yours helps us identify areas where we can improve. We encourage you to contact our Customer Service team directly so they can review the details of your booking and assist further regarding your refund request. Ciprian@Big Bus Tours
via Viator
The famous ride around the city..
It was a great tour around the big 🍎 city. My cousin and I really enjoyed watching the beautiful buildings and the many stores. The drivers were very pleasant and courteous. They even remembered the person who asked to be reminded of the stop to get off for a destination. The drivers were safe drivers and we felt safe on the tour..keep up the great work.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your cousin had such a great time exploring the Big Apple with us. It's fantastic that you enjoyed taking in the city's beautiful architecture, shops, and iconic sights along the way. We're especially pleased to hear that our drivers were courteous, attentive, and helped make your journey comfortable and memorable. Knowing that you felt safe throughout the tour means a great deal to us. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. We look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon! Ciprian@Big Bus Tours
via Viator
Middle of the Road
It was convenient to bundle these activities to sightsee. I liked hearing the background recorded tour on the bus but the earbuds were cheap and did not stay in my ears and only worked to plug in at some seats. The staff know what they are doing to get you on the bus but don’t troubleshoot booking issues. I swear the tour description says there’s an express tour of the Empire State Building but we got general admission tickets. There was barely any wait so that was fine. If it was a crowded day that would have really sucked. Getting on the water was cool. The narrated tour was interesting but the boat is middle of the road with old chairs lined up in rows. They weren’t uncomfortable and it was great that there were a few wall outlets to recharge phones. Look for those seats if your battery is drained by day’s end. Also make time to stop for food. There’s decent concessions on the boat but limited staff. We felt bad for them. There was a huge line-up that moved crazy slow. If you wait until later in the tour the line moves way faster or there’s no wait. You can see the Statue of Liberty from the boat and get some good pictures. Just don’t expect to get super close. Having a real camera, SLR or something with quality zoom would be better than relying on a cell phone for the best pics. Overall the tour got us to all the sites at a pretty good price. I looked for a better quality bus tour and just couldn’t find that or narrow options easily. They are probably all about the same.
Response from the operator: Hi Marci, Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the convenience of combining the different sightseeing experiences and appreciated the opportunity to explore the city by bus and boat. We appreciate your comments regarding the audio equipment, booking process, and overall experience, as they help us identify areas where we can continue to improve. If you would like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to contact us directly. Alexandra@BigBusTours
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does NY: Empire State Building, Liberty Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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